North Coast Winds by Robin Joy Wellman - September 2019
By Joy Wellman
Hundreds of volunteers in our local counties focus on getting our beaches and rivers clean before the rains come in September on Coastal/ River Cleanups. Much of the debris left along our waterways ends up in the ocean. But you know this! Let’s catch as much of the debris before it makes this awful impact in the waterways around us. Quoting from the International Coastal Cleanup website, “Marine debris is found everywhere, in every major body of water on the planet and below the surface as well. Marine debris is a global pollution problem that impacts human health and safety, endangers wildlife and aquatic habitats, and costs local and national economies millions in wasted resources and lost revenues.” Please consider participating in a beach or river clean up with your family, friends and join your neighbors making this difference. It is a great way to get outdoors, meet interesting and caring people, and do your part on keeping our planet clean.
On Saturday, September 16 is International Coastal Cleanup day. Please learn more about the many opportunities and options for volunteering at https://sonomabeachcleanup.org/. Locally on Saturday September 21 is the Gualala Point Regional Park cleanup along the beach and river. Our Gualala River is a beautiful little river that brings joy to many all of us here on the coast. To sign up and lean more please visit them at https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar/California-Coastal-Cleanup-Day-2019/. The ‘Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is a non-profit, grassroots watershed protection association formed to share common concerns and research regarding the welfare of the Gualala River, its estuary and habitat.’ FoGR’s goal is to protect the Gualala River watershed and the species that rely on it. That’s all of us! I don’t see a planned clean-up day listed but please check with them and also they have many ways you can participate throughout the year.http://gualalariver.org/about-friends-of-gualala-river/. You can also get a few friends and families together and bring a few plastic bags and do your own clean up. Teaching your kids at a young age to become stewards and to volunteer in their community is such a gift to all of us.
There is so much going on this September. At Timber Cove Resort they continue to have local’s night every Tuesday and Wednesday which provides discounts to locals. They also offer ‘Saturday Walkabouts’ every Saturday at 9:00 AM led by ‘Unbeaten Path Hiking Tours. Please visit their website for more info. https://www.timbercoveresort.com/activities. Up north in Point Arena at the Lighthouse are the Harvest Full Moon tour Friday, September 13th and Saturday the 14th.
On September 21st is the presentation by Nik Epanchin about the Point Arena Light Station Renovation 2008-2010. Super important is the fundraising dinner hosted by the Lighthouse Keepers and celebrating the 150 years of the lighthouse on September 28th at 5:00 PM at Gualala Art Center. “It was September of 1869 when work first began on the Point Arena Light Station, breaking ground for this important location on the Mendocino Coast and setting the stage for all the rich history to come. For more info and all their events visit them at https://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/visit/calendar-2/.
Gualala Art Center, Point Arena Theater, The Sea Ranch Thespians, and Artists guild events are all noted at the Four Eyed Frog website in one handy dandy place at https://www.foureyedfrog.com/art-music-theater-theres-lot-going.
What’s not to love about September! Enjoy a blackberry cobbler with some friends after a beach cleanup. Many blessings to each of you!
